Package opening device



Nov. 6, 1934. J. ROBERTSON PACKAGE OPENING DEVICE Filed 001;. 25, 1933 Patented Uriah stare errrr orrie This invention is a paper or similar package equipped with simple means by which the contents thereof may be made readily accessible.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a package for cigarettes, candy, or other material capable of being enclosed in a wrapping of paper orlight,thin, flexible material, having folded-over, sealed end portions, and means for readily ripping or tearing away a portion of the wrapper, so as m to expose the contents of the package. A further object is to provide a package of the character mentioned in which a thread or cord has been passed beneath the folded-over or overlapped end portions by sewing, after .the sealing of the package, and the loose ends of the thread or cord joined to provide a loop which may be readily pulled when it is desired to open the package. A

further object is to provide a package of the type referred to in which the folded-over ends are 29 covered by a sealing. member, such as a revenue stamp, with a cord or thread passed through said sealing member and beneath the flaps, with the free ends joined by a tab-like device constructed and arranged to provide a simple gripping means for the purpose of exerting a pull upon the cord or thread, whereby the act of opening the package will mutilate the seal.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing:--

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a package embodying the invention, a well known type of cigarette package having been selected for purposes of illustration. Figure 2 is a side 35 elevationpartly in section. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the opened package. Figure 4. is a perspective view of the cord or thread loop and the method of attaching the ends thereof to the tab.

Referring to the drawing, A designates a package which may be the ordinary type of cigarette package or any other similar type of package. As shown, the same consists of a wrapper of paper or other flexible material, the ends of which are folded inwardly and then over -each other in a well known manner, to provide the overlapped portions 11 and 12. It is customary to seal these ends in suitable manner as by pasting. The package may be surrounded by the usual form of label 13 and enclosed within a transparent wrapping as. indicated at 14, the ends of the last mentioned wrapping being folded in the same manner as the wrapping 10. The sealed ends of the two wrappers are then permanently sealed by a strip of material 15, pasted across the end.

engaged with the wrapper.

of the package; In the case of cigarettes or the like, the sealing strip 15 may be the usual revenue stamp.

After the package has been finally sealed as thus far described, a loop B of cord or thread is This is preferably done by passing aneedle carrying the cord or thread through the sealing member 13 and beneath the innermost end fold 11, and drawing it transversely across the package above the contents thereof, as shown in Figure 2. The ends of the cord or thread 20 are then brought into overlapped relation, as indicated at 21, Figure 4, between the two wing-like portions 22 and 23 of a tab-like member C. In practice, the body of the tab is folded upon itself with the overlapped ends of the cord in the fold, between the wings, and the wings are then cemented together, thereby anchoring the overlapping ends 21 of the cord 20, and completing the tab 0 as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the cord or thread loop B is applied after the complete wrapping of the package, so that there is no interference in the normal wrapping operations. Also that the cord is formed in a loop with the tab C so arranged as to 'be readily grasped so that it may easily pulled to open the package. When it is desired to open the package, it is obvious that a pull upon the tab C and the cord loop B will effect the tearing away of a portion of the sealing member 15, and a. cutting through of portions of the side and edge walls of the wrapper 10, so that the severed portion may be raised in the form of a flap D, as illustrated in Figure 3, exposing the contents of the package.

The advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention belongs. It will be particularly noted that the unsealing cord may be applied to any package which has been previously wrapped, thereby avoiding the labor and complication of folding and cementing a thread or a portion thereof within a package while it is being wrapped, as is common practice. A further advantage is that the loop B is so arranged that it may be readily grasped and pulled in order to effect the unsealing operation referred to. Another important advantage is that the tab C not only serves as a finger grip, but it also serves as an anchorage for the otherwise loose ends of the court loop B.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of versely through the package at one end and in a plane directly beneath the overlapped portions, 9. tabformed of a piece of flexible material bent back upon itself with the bent portions cemented together, the ends. of said cord being gripped between said cemented portions.

2. A wrapped package including a wrapper of flexible material having folded overlapped end portions in sealed relation, a sealing strip extended over said overlapped end portions, and

a cord passed transversely through the package at one end in a plane directly beneath the overlapped portions and also through the sealing strip, the ends of the cord being permanently joined to provide a loop.

3. A wrapped package including a wrapper of flexible material having folded overlapped end portions in sealed relation, and an unsealing cord extended transversely through the package in an approximately straight line with portions protruding through opposite sides of the wrapper, said cord being so constructed and arranged that it may be applied after the wrapping of the package is completed, the ends of the protruding portions of said cord being united to provide a loop.

JOHN ROBERTSON. 

